Something that caught my attention recently was the title of an article
on the cover of Reader's Digest: The People that Time Forgot. It was
obviously about a tribe of Africans who had not been affected by Western
science and technology. But why is it that people whose way of life hasn't
been corrupted by our 'civilization' are considered 'forgotten' by time?
They are just as much a part of our world, and a part of the present as us.
Why should we feel the need to force our technology on them?

True, the title bugs me, but here's where the core of the issue lies. If
science and technology (as they are popularly defined) were the only
innovation of Western thought and civilization, then my doubts above
would be justified. But fortunately, the foundation of our science, which
stems from a tradition of increasing self-awareness and rationality from
the Greek philosophers onward, is what we have to offer other cultures.

This doesn't entirely redeem us, because science and rationality are
often confused with technology, and information. I would submit that
before we endeavor to 'enlighten' other dark, backward peoples, we first
concentrate on making our own society more self-aware, aware of the forces
that form us and our actions and attitudes, and more rational, good,
principle-centered people.

This whole paragraph I hope to develop further and better, because in
it I refer to concepts and ideas that have a certain meaning to me, based
on the things I've read and thought, and the context in which I heard them.
I also hope to make this page a page of thoughtful, meaningful opinion on
issues.